In this post, we are going to give you 5 reasons why you may need to replace your water heater.
We have more than 14 years experience in the HVAC industry, including repairing and installing water heaters, and we would love to share our helpful advice with you.
We’re going to take a closer look at why it might be time to replace your water heater, such as it’s getting, too old, it’s starting to leak, and more. So let’s get started.
Reasons to Replace Water Heater
Just like every other appliance in your home or business, there will come a time when you will need to replace your water heater. But when is that? Here are 4 reasons why it may be time to get a new one.
1. Your Heater Is Too Old
Even the best water heaters have a life-span of around 8 to 10 years. Getting water heater maintenance each year will help to prolong its lifespan. Still, most experts recommend replacing it after 10 years. Gas water heaters have a shorter lifespan; on average, they need to be replaced after 6 to 8 years.
2. There Are Visible Leaks around Your Tank
As your water heater gets older, it may start to leak. If you see water on the floor around your tank, then there probably is a leak somewhere.
Depending on where your water heater is located, water leakage could do significant damage to the area around it, so it is best to get it looked at as soon as possible.
What causes a water heater to leak?
Over time, most water heaters will develop a leak. This is because, during each heating cycle, the metal in your tank expands and then contracts when it cools. This constant expansion and contraction of the metal will, over time, cause a fracture.
It will probably start as a small gap that will likely only leak some water during the heating cycle, and then will contain all the water once the cycle is finished.
However, once a gap forms, it will only get worse over time. You will soon need to replace your water heater. If you notice water leaking around the base of your tank, call a professional.
You can also get leaks:
- Around the fittings or connections to your tank
- At the temperature or pressure overflow pipe
If you notice water in these two areas, then call a professional to come and repair these types of leaks.
3. You Notice Rust in Your Hot Water
Anything made from steel will eventually rust, especially if it comes into contact with water constantly like your water heater does. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether rust in your hot water is coming from your water heater or your pipes. One way to tell is to rain several buckets of hot water out of your tank. If by the third bucket you still see rust, then the problem is definitely with your hot water tank and not your pipes.
Even though it may not be harmful to your health, rust in your water is not a pleasant thing and should be taken care of as soon as you notice it. Rusting can occur in any hot water heater, but especially those that are over 10 years old.
If you see rust spots around the water inlet or pressure relief valve, then it’s likely that you also have rust inside your tank too. Once rust starts to take hold of your water heater, it will need to be replaced.
If you are always running out of hot water, replace water heater
4. Your Water Heater Isn’t Heating Properly
If you notice that your water isn’t hot enough or you seem to be constantly running out of hot water, then it is a good idea to have a trained technician come and take a look at it. There are a few reasons why your water heater might not be heating properly. These include:
- Your thermostat hasn’t been adjusted properly
- Your heating element is broken and needs to be repaired or replaced
- Your tank is too small for the number of people using it
If you are always running out of hot water, then perhaps you have outgrown your current water heater. If your family has increased, then probably your hot water consumption has as well. You may need to invest in a larger tank to ensure that you always have sufficient hot water.
5. Your Water Heater Is Making Lots of Noise
As your water heater gets older, you may find that it also starts to get noisy. During the heating cycles, you will probably hear loud rumbling noises. This is due to sediment that builds up on the floor of your tank over time.
Sediment buildup can wear your water heater down and cause it to use more energy to heat up your water. This extra time and energy involved in the heating cycle will make the metal inside your tank more brittle and more prone to cracking.
Hiring a licensed technician to flush your hot water tank every year will help to minimize this sediment build-up and help your hot water tank to last longer.
“My hot water tank stopped working on a Saturday. Selim was able to diagnose the problem over the phone and came to fix my tank same day. Friendly, honest person with knowledgeable advice. Highly recommended. I will stick with Draft Control for my service work from now on.” – Michael Lee
Contact Draft Control to Fix Your Problem or Replace Water Heater
We work on all makes and models of water heaters:
No matter what type or brand of water heater you have, the highly trained technicians at Draft Control can repair or replace them. Whether you have an electric, gas, or tankless water heater, we will be able to determine the problem and repair the issue. Or, if it is necessary to replace your water heater, we will recommend a unit that is the proper size for your family’s needs and one that will fit your budget.
We repair both residential and commercial water heaters:
Whether your water heater is in your home or at your place of business, contact Draft Control for any repairs you need or if you want to replace your water heater. No job is too big or too small for us to handle, and regardless of the size of job, we will always treat you and your water heater with the greatest care and respect.
We are never pushy and we put your needs first:
Don’t worry; we are never pushy and we won’t try to sell you a water heater that isn’t the best choice for you. If your water heater can be repaired and doesn’t need to be replaced, you can trust us to do that for you. At Draft Control, we put out customer’s needs first.
Call us if you have an emergency water heater repair:
If your water heater repair is an emergency, you can trust Draft Control to come to your home as soon as possible to fix your problem efficiently and correctly.